Comment Letter on Senate Bill 85 to Senate Resources Committee

January 26, 2022

The Honorable Josh Revak, Chair
Senate Resources Committee
Alaska State Capital

Submitted via [email protected] 

Re: Senate Bill 85, an act related to forest land use plans; relating to forest land use plan appeals; relating to negotiated timber sales; and providing for an effective date

Dear Chair Revak, and members of Senate Resources:

The Resource Development Council for Alaska, Inc. (RDC) is writing to comment in support of Senate Bill 85, an act related to forest land use plans; relating to forest land use plan appeals; relating to negotiated timber sales; and providing for an effective date.

RDC is a statewide trade association comprised of individuals and companies from Alaska’s fishing, forestry, mining, oil and gas, and tourism industries. RDC’s membership includes Alaska Native corporations, local communities, organized labor, and industry support firms. RDC’s purpose is to encourage a strong, diversified private sector in Alaska and expand the state’s economic base through the responsible development of our natural resources. 

Senate Bill 85 provides the State with the ability to offer small volume timber sales with greater efficiency. It allows the State, Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Division of Forestry (DOF) with the ability to negotiate sales with any use of timber resources. Senate Bill 85 does away with the ability to appeal a Forest Land Use Plan (FLUP), which in turn allows the State to conduct timber sales more efficiently, without compromising required environmental review and public comment requirements and processes. 

RDC supports Senate Bill 85 which creates greater efficiency when it comes to responsible development of our natural resources. 

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.